RGB Imagery Transition to WFOs for AWIPS I and AWIPS II

NOAA Satellite Science Week4 May, 2012

Kevin Fuell1, Andrew Molthan2

Gary Jedlovec2, Kevin McGrath3, Matt Smith1

1University of Alabama Huntsville/SPoRT, Huntsville, Alabama2NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT)

Center, NASA MSFC, Huntsville, Alabama, 3Jacobs Inc.

Users of RGB Imagery from SPoRTUser RGB Products Comments

TFX, SR WFOs MODIS: True, Snow/Cloud Initial transition of RGBs (2003)

HPC, OPC, SAB MODIS & SEVIRI: Air Mass, Dust, Night MicrophysicsGOES Sounder (CIRA): Air Mass

SEVIRI for Atlantic area and MODIS and GOES Sounder for CONUS. (2011)

NHC SEVIRI: Air Mass, DustGOES Sounder (CIRA): Air Mass

TC Analysis and monitoring (2011)

SR WFOs MODIS: Air Mass, Dust, Night Microphysics

2012

SPC & HWT GOES Sounder (CIRA): Air Mass 2012

Near-term Future: National Centers

MODIS Air Mass Extended domain for Atlantic and Pacific

Near-term Future: NHC Passive Micro. 89 and 37 GHz NRL Collaboration

Longer-term Future: National Centers and WFOs

Other MODIS & SEVIRI RGBs as well as VIIRS/CrIS RGB suite

Based on end user forecast needs / priorities

• Using the EUMETSAT guidelines for RGBs• CIRA provides GOES Sounder R-G-B inputs, SPoRT combines for NAWIPS

RGB Production - Color Quantization• RGB imagery assign values

for the R, G, and B color components using 8-bit values (0-255), resulting in 24-bit image.

• AWIPS and NAWIPS can only display 254 or 95 colors, respectively.

• Therefore, RGB images in these systems are quantized (not ideal, but exposes users to RGB concept ahead of 24-bit capability).

• Code re-engineered to be more modular for use with EUMETSAT RGB recipes.

R

G

B

In a 24-bit image, pixels occur as all possible combinations of RGB.

Quantization selects an ideal subset of colors to represent the image.

Some color detail is lost as a compromise to make the imagery

available in N/AWIPS.

Training• RGB Quick Guides –

2-3 page documento Page of text and page with

exampleo Why is RGB important?o What to specifically look for

in the imageryo What are the caveats?

• Reference EUMETrain and COMET materials

• EUMETSAT RGB Workshop: September 2012

• Future: Collaborate with users to capture cases for library of examples

Page 2 of Air Mass Quick Guide

WFO RGB Application Examples

ABQ forecaster noticed odd change in ceiling at Farmington.

Looked at visible imagery and then Dust RGB imagery 1819Z• Modified forecast ceiling and visibility in TAF

RGB provided extent and source

Not a normal event for that particular area

Applications:

•Awareness of visibility and airborne hazards to aviation for TAF forecasts

•Notification to State agencies issuing public health statements

•Communication to Department of Transportation for motorist hazards

•Provide information to recreational facilities.

1819 Z 2000 Z

CRP forecaster noted this fog case to SOO (Mike Buchanan)

•Obs show low clouds (aqua) to have VFR visibility, but IFR ceilings • Obs with fog (grayish) have IFR ceiling and visibility• Would like to compare to official PG product. Does it add value? Is there benefit in data void areas?

RGB Production for AWIPS II

Issues to consider:• Channel availability

– Non-operational LEO channels (e.g. MODIS) and some full resolution VIIRS & CrIS channels needed for RGBs may not be available in baseline data stream

– GOES-R: all channels to be within baseline at full resolution• Hardware resources

– For LEO, one can manage limited bandwidth by sending the resulting RGB vs many channels

– What will be impact on system to process RGBs internally when combined with other production and data processing?SPoRT will explore this issue with PG partners

Using production outside the system maintains flexibility to produce RGBs for AWIPS II for both short and long term

Summary• Users value RGBs in

current systems• Quantization of colors

provides RGB infusion to AWIPS and NAWIPS

• Training guide provided as a quick reference w/ other sources sited

• WFO also being exposed to RGBs (w Nat. Centers)

• RGB processing outside AWIPS II maintains flexibility in short and long term

Graphic Cast using RGB Dust Imagery